PHL Improvements
- Thread starter UPNAWAY
- Start date
I gotta say that I admire Mr. Isdell for his staying power through two administrations. Nutter might have done better to just clean house, but if Isdell stuck it out this long, then he will have to really screw up to get fired.
I'm not so sure about some of his statements in the article:
The city would try to get assurances the new airline would not impose monopolistic prices to cities where they are the only carrier
There is no way a city can pressure an airline into setting prices at a certain level. This is what a free market is for. If people are willing to pay $600 to fly roundtrip PHL-LAX, then why should US lower that price when they can fill the plane up at that yield?
"I don't see a merger having a major impact on Philadelphia."
Does he have a crystal ball or some kind of inside government information? There will be changes if UA/US merge to optimize the two hubs. I can't imagine that all of the US destinations to Europe are strong O&D cities, so it would come down to a choice of serving them from IAD or PHL. Which one would provide the best operational performance?
"We have a proposal to add a pier to the international terminal and, in the short term, get them some additional parking positions."
That will require some kind of commitment from USAirways or another airline to beef up service or help pay for that pier. PHL is not going to just build a few more gates on the whims and hopes that an airline will use them. Given today's business environment, I'm not so sure that's going to be reality for a while.
I'm not so sure about some of his statements in the article:
The city would try to get assurances the new airline would not impose monopolistic prices to cities where they are the only carrier
There is no way a city can pressure an airline into setting prices at a certain level. This is what a free market is for. If people are willing to pay $600 to fly roundtrip PHL-LAX, then why should US lower that price when they can fill the plane up at that yield?
"I don't see a merger having a major impact on Philadelphia."
Does he have a crystal ball or some kind of inside government information? There will be changes if UA/US merge to optimize the two hubs. I can't imagine that all of the US destinations to Europe are strong O&D cities, so it would come down to a choice of serving them from IAD or PHL. Which one would provide the best operational performance?
"We have a proposal to add a pier to the international terminal and, in the short term, get them some additional parking positions."
That will require some kind of commitment from USAirways or another airline to beef up service or help pay for that pier. PHL is not going to just build a few more gates on the whims and hopes that an airline will use them. Given today's business environment, I'm not so sure that's going to be reality for a while.
YVINTERN
Veteran
PHL says: The city would try to get assurances the new airline would not impose monopolistic prices to cities where they are the only carrier
There is no way a city can pressure an airline into setting prices at a certain level. This is what a free market is for. If people are willing to pay $600 to fly roundtrip PHL-LAX, then why should US lower that price when they can fill the plane up at that yield?
Your right a city can not pressure the airline, but the city has to protect it's own interests also...I do not know the situation in PHL but looked what happened in CLT, people were driving north and south on I-85 to get cheaper fares. So the city saw reduced parking and concession(sp?) revenues.
There is no way a city can pressure an airline into setting prices at a certain level. This is what a free market is for. If people are willing to pay $600 to fly roundtrip PHL-LAX, then why should US lower that price when they can fill the plane up at that yield?
Your right a city can not pressure the airline, but the city has to protect it's own interests also...I do not know the situation in PHL but looked what happened in CLT, people were driving north and south on I-85 to get cheaper fares. So the city saw reduced parking and concession(sp?) revenues.
BuffaloJoe
Veteran
- Aug 17, 2005
- 2,873
- 18
$600 r/t PHL-LAX is a VERY reasonable fare. Flying r/t coast to coast is simply not profitable for $200-$300 r/t, for any airline, especially with fuel at the current prices. US still prices tickets too low in some markets. I can fly DCA-SEA for around $400 1 week out, which is ridiculously low especially when compared to most other carriers.
oh whats a few stairs??
you need the exercise....
u have a new uniform to keep in shape for...
LOL
Exactly. And with those money losing fares, you surely don't expect a bag of 4 mini pretzels in economy, do you?
YVINTERN
Veteran
Exactly. And with those money losing fares, you surely don't expect a bag of 4 mini pretzels in economy, do you?
Fair enough
I was just shocked...now that the shock has passed...I'll just bring aboard edible food.
WhatBag?
Advanced
- Apr 29, 2008
- 165
- 0
Take it all off! Go down to D Coke and Coke, OJ and AJ! and water! If that's all we've got, they'll drink it or pout! Take off liguor, beer, and wine! Take off the cans and bring on the bottles. No arguments about whole cans and no drunks!
BUT~ Take care of f/c. Urgrade that sucker!
BUT~ Take care of f/c. Urgrade that sucker!
100% agree. Take care of the FF, he!!, take the US1/2/3/4 Star gold list the agents give us and hook em up in the back as well!
Travelpro72
Veteran
- Jan 30, 2005
- 4,964
- 455
ABSOLUTELY! ! ! ! I don't care if they stripped the coach cabin down to nothing. BUT upgrade FIRST and take care of your FF's that could very well be sitting in coach. You want $200.00-$300.00 coast to coast fares then get ready to pay, pay, pay. You don't want to pay for a soda/juice or alcoholic beverage? Fine less work for me. Again take care of the FF or hell even the pax that bought the "choice" seat. I'm all for it. I've learned to live on about $12,000.00 less a year and many will live with higher fares or getting nickel and dimed.
